Ross W. Hippensteel was born to Benjamin F. and Amelia (Guempelein) Hippensteel, August 22, 1912 in Peru, Indiana. He was a 1930 graduate of Peru High School, and graduated from Purdue University in 1934. Ross Hippensteel married Geneva "Jean" Rankin in Wabash on September 19, 1934.

He retired October 31, 1974 after forty years as an engineer at Continental Steel Corporation. He also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving twenty-eight years in the Reserves and active duty from 1942-1945, during World War II in the European Theater.

His memberships included First Congregational Church; a forty year member of Kokomo Metropolitan Kiwanis Club and was Lieutenant Governor of the Sycamore Division 1981-1982 and president of the Metropolitan Club 1971-1972; Society of Professional Engineers (A. A. Potter Chapter); Kokomo Elks Lodge No. 190; Kokomo Management Club; appointed 1958-1962 to serve on the Kokomo Center Township School Board and Library Board. He was appointed as a civilian engineer to the Advisory Board to help the new jail in 1968.

He had two sons, Benjamin R. and David L. Hippensteel and two grandchildren. Ross W. Hippensteel died April 7, 1997. He was buried with military honors by the Veterans of Foreign War.